Liverpool missed a huge opportunity in the race for a top-four finish as their fitness again came under question after a late 2-1 defeat at Wolves.
Wolves 2-1 Liverpool
Premier League (29) | Molineux Stadium
March 3, 2026
Goals: R.Gomes 78′, Andre 90+4′; Salah 83′
Liverpool’s attack is miles off it – summer transfers needed
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 3, 2026: Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike with a cross during the FA Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Liverpool FC at Molineux Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
After another disappointing result in a season packed with them, there will be many fans tempted to aim all of their criticism at Arne Slot.
Yet while the Dutchman clearly deserves plenty of blame for the way this campaign has played out, it would be harsh in the extreme to lay this one solely at his door.
Going into this game, you suspect Slot would have dealt on Liverpool giving up a single shot while getting into the final third as frequently as they did.
However, he could not have accounted for the sheer lack of attacking quality shown once there – something that has become a recurring theme this season.
If this rebuild is to get finished off in the coming summer, then the focus simply has to be on adding to the Reds’ options in attack.
Florian Wirtz’s return from injury feels desperate
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 20, 2025: Liverpool's substitute Florian Wirtz on the bench before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Everton FC at Anfield. The 247th Merseyside Derby. Liverpool won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Of course, in the short term, it wouldn’t half help to have the only forward who, alongside Hugo Ekitike, has consistently played at the desired level in recent months.
As they gave away the ball time and time again in the final third, how the Reds could have done with the German’s guile and ability to unpick a low block.
He is not expected back for the FA Cup trip to Molineux that follows this, but the remaining Premier League games have plenty riding on them.
Slot must hope that Wirtz can almost single-handedly save a frontline that has stuttered all season long.
First halves are a write-off
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 3, 2026: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister during the FA Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Liverpool FC at Molineux Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
And as for those deserved criticisms of the manager, well how about the usual approach to first halves returning here?
Liverpool can’t keep feeling they have been unlucky to lose games – even late on – when they seem to actively choose to only turn up for 45 minutes of them.
That is an entire half of football in which any opportunity to score is given up and the chance to beat the belief out of the opposition.
As could be seen here, the longer Wolves remained in the game, the more they felt they could get something out of it.
Liverpool cannot afford to keep playing into their opponents’ hands in this manner.
Liverpool’s fitness comes into question after conceding late again
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 3, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk reacts to conceding the opening goal during the FA Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Liverpool FC at Molineux Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
If the feeling of conceding a late winner felt familiar, that is because, this season, it is – historically so.
That is now five games Liverpool have lost to 90th-minute goals in the Premier League this term, more than any other season in a single campaign.
So why is that? Well, the shortness of the squad can’t help given that it was Wolves whose substitutes seemed to bring more energy and purpose to the game.
But you also have to question whether this team is sufficiently fit for the entire 90 minutes, and if the fact they are so often given days off is a factor.
Perhaps that is an unfair accusation but, if a side loses late on while looking leggy this often, then it is going to be levelled at them.
Liverpool miss huge opportunity in top-four race
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 3, 2026: Liverpool's Curtis Jones (L) and Andy Robertson look dejected after the FA Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Liverpool FC at Molineux Stadium. The game ended 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
What made this defeat particularly painful was that Liverpool went into tonight with a huge opportunity in front of them.
The right result could have seen the Reds leapfrog Aston Villa and Manchester United into third, as well as create daylight to Chelsea ahead of all three playing.
Instead, those teams were left buoyed by another slip-up from Slot’s side in the race for Champions League football.
Mercifully, there is still a long way to go and so it would be folly to write off Liverpool yet, but results like this don’t exactly boost belief that they will get over the line.